MILWAUKEE – The MSOE women's volleyball team got off to a strong start, but could not keep it up in falling to Concordia Wisconsin, 20-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-13 in its NACC opener Tuesday evening at the Kern Center.

The Raiders (9-3, 0-1 NACC) limited the Falcons (5-3, 1-0 NACC) to .000 hitting to claim the opening set, but hit below .100 in the next three sets

Freshman Hannah Pekarek and junior Rachel Lynde had 13 kills apiece to lead MSOE, with Pekarek adding nine digs in the match.

Kailey Moegenberg led Concordia with 13 kills.

The first set was tight early on until the Red & White rattled off five-straight points for an 11-7 lead. Its advantage peaked at 19-13 after a 5-1 run. CUW would pull within two at 20-18, but after a Raider time out, the home team closed out the frame on a 5-2 run.

After hitting .212 in the first set, the Raiders struggled to get their offense on track. The Falcons rattled off the first seven points of the second frame and built an 11-point lead as the Red & White struggled to put a run together. It did strike back within four at 19-15 after a 7-1 run, but CUW pulled away to even the match.

The third set was tight for much of the frame, with Concordia holding just a 19-17 lead before it scored the final six points of the set. It was a 12-1 run that gave the visitors an unsurmountable lead in the decisive set.

MSOE hit .073 for the match, while the Falcons finished at .190. CUW outdug the Red & White 55-42, with four more total blocks (9.0-5.0).

The Raiders return to action Thursday at Edgewood.